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American Home Shield Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Excellent)
4,138 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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American Home Shield is a Tennessee-based company founded in 1971 to provide coverage on home appliances and systems in the United States through its network of home service professionals.

The company offers service contracts that cover the repair or replacement of major components of home systems and appliances. Customers can also purchase optional coverage for pools and spas, guest houses, home electronic systems, roof leaks, maintenance services, and more.

How Do We Rate American Home Shield?

Breakdown

4.8/5
Transparency
4.8/5
Claims Processing
4.7/5
Coverage Options
4.7/5
Additional Benefits
4.7/5
Customer Experience

Our Overall Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Excellent)

American Home Shield's coverage is among the most comprehensive we've seen in the industry. The company covers considerably more appliances and systems than its competitors and has fewer coverage limitations.

The company recently updated its plans—they now have three to simplify choosing the right one for your home. American Home Shield focuses on the repairs that offer the most value to consumers, removing items that are inexpensive to replace, increasing its coverage limits on appliances in its most expensive plan to reflect today's higher-priced, "gourmet" appliances, and adding roof leak coverage.

Coverage

Key Facts

Plan Types
Systems
Appliances
Combo Plan
Benefit Limit Type
Per Item
Typical Appliance Benefit Limit
$3,000
Typical Systems Benefit Limit
$0

Coverage Options - 4.7 / 5

American Home Shield offers consumers a choice of three plans, following a good-better-best model. Its ShieldSilver plan warrants systems only, but can be amended with certain add-ons, including pools, electronics, and guest houses. Its ShieldGold plan covers a range of systems and appliances, again with add-on options. Its ShieldPlatinum plan covers everything in the ShieldGold plan, plus roof leaks up to $1500 and some routine maintenance services. These include free HVAC tune-ups, unlimited top ups on your AC refrigerant, coverage for code violations including permits.

All told, American Home Shield covers 23 systems and appliances, considerably more than most of their competitors, and fully covers 11 of those items. There is no limit on the number of claims a customer can file over the year’s contract, either.

What does American Home Shield cover?

Covered Built-In Systems

  • Air Conditioning
  • Heating
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Water Heater
  • Instant Hot/Cold Water Dispenser
  • Doorbells
  • Ceiling Fans

Covered Appliances

  • Refrigerators
  • Dishwashers
  • Clothes Dryers
  • Clothes Washers
  • Ranges/Ovens/Cooktops
  • Built-in Microwaves
  • Freestanding Ice Makers
  • Built-In Trash Compactors
  • Garage Door Openers
  • Built-in Food Centers

Exclusions

For a full list of American Home Shield exclusions, check out this page.

Specialty Items

  • Guest Unit
  • Pool/Spa
  • Well Pump
  • Septic
  • Roof Leaks

Contract & Price

Contract Details

Annual Premium
Starting at $0
Minimum Contract Length
12 month(s)
Home Inspection Required for Contract?
No
Online Quote/Application

Contract & Price - 5 / 5

American Home Shield has a flexible pricing policy and offers three different coverage plans and two trade service call fee levels: $100 and $125.

This allows consumers to have input into the annual price based on their budgetary needs.

We requested a quote for a single family home under 5,000 square feet located in a medium-sized midwestern city. The minimum annual premium (Shield Silver Plan) was $59.99 per month. The maximum premium (Shield Platinum Plan) was $109.99. So AHS prices are somewhat higher than many competitive plans. Consumers should note that their final price will vary by plan, service call charge selected, and location.

Sample Contract

American Home Shield provides a sample contract for potential customers on its website: American Home Shield Sample Contract

Cancellation Policy

Customers can cancel anytime within their 30 day wait period and receive a full refund, and can cancel anytime during the contract term, as this is a non-binding contract.

Claims & Service

Claims

Service Fee
$100 and $125
Maintenance Records Required for Service?
No
24/7 Claims Department?
Waiting Period
30 days

Contractors & Service

Contractor Selection
In-Network Only
Contractor Network Size
14,000+ contractors
Number of Technicians
45,000 technicians
Service Recall Period
30 days

Claims Processing - 4.8 / 5

Consumers can submit a service request online 24/7/365. American Home Security does not require an inspection prior to purchase.

The company has a large network of service professionals and offers a 30-day workmanship guarantee on their services.

American Home Shield Reputation

Company Details

Year Founded
1971
NHSCA Membership
Number of Customers
1.7 million
Number of Employees
1,700
TrustPilot Rating
2.1 out of 5
BBB Rating
B
BBB Positive Reviews
392
BBB Neutral Reviews
50
BBB Negative Reviews
1,874
Date Collected
2023-07-24

Reputation - 5 / 5

American Home Shield has been in business since 1971, making it the oldest player in the industry. It has over 1.7 million customers.

In 1989, the company was acquired by ServiceMaster, an established firm that also owns Terminix and Merry Maids.

American Home Shield is accredited by the BBB and has a B rating. In this industry, negative customer reviews far outnumber positive ones.

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
Company Phone
(888) 429-8247
Headquarters Address
150 Peabody Place, Memphis, TN, 38103
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 849, Carroll, IA, 51401
Year Founded
1971

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4138 Customer Comments & Reviews

Loading Reviews ...
D
Di
9/13/2017
The contractors used by American Home Shield are professional, timely and knowledgeable. I highly recommend using this company for a service warranty.

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
We are delighted to read the wonderful feedback. Thanks.

David M
9/13/2017
I've used my policy twice this year. The savings was worth every penny!

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Thanks for the great feedback, David!

Ulf L
9/13/2017
The contractors who make the reinstalment of the microvawe was professional and quick working. I can recommend them absolutely.

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
We genuinely appreciate the time you spent to share your feedback! We're happy to hear that we were able to provide the services you needed. Thanks, Ulf.

K
K. S
9/13/2017
The time limit to wait is too long - 45 minutes to get a rep. I called almost 2 weeks ago for a service appt and they can't find anyone yet? I know this because I called again and waited 45 minutes to speak to a rep. It was not like this a few years ago!

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
We sincerely apologize for the wait time and the issues that you have experienced with your services. If you provide your contact information to us by emailing social@ahslink.com, we will be in contact with you regarding this matter. Thanks

L
Laura V
9/13/2017
The quality of work preformed is great. But when a customer has to speak with a person it's horrendous. I had to have a recall on a service and could not use the web for that, I had to speak to customer service and was on hold for at least 45 minutes. Absolutely ridiculous!!

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Laura, My apologies to you for the extreme hold times. If there are any issues that we can assist with, please email your contact information to us at social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", and we will follow up with you. Thanks

K
Keith C
9/13/2017
On a Saturday afternoon back in July a pipe that was under my toilet burst and was causing a huge flood in my bathroom and was threatening to go out in the hallway. I put in a claim for an emergency and AHS notified me that a plumber they contacted would be there soon. I waited an hour and still the plumber never showed up, so I contacted to plumber themselves and was told they they wouldn't be able to come for another 3 hours despite me telling them that water was now flooding the hall adjacent to the bathroom. So when I tried to call back AHS the claims department had me on hold for another hour, but however I hung up and called the billing department and someone answered in less then a... Read More

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Keith, I am sorry to hear about the disappointing experience that you have had. We would like to reach out to you regarding this matter. If you provide your contact information to us by email, we will be in touch with you. Please email us at social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate". Thanks

J
Janet B
9/13/2017
I have been a loyal customer for over 30 years. I highly recommend every home owner to get American Home Shield .

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Thanks for being a loyal customer Janet! We really appreciate the great feedback.

J
Jan M
9/13/2017
I have had warranty plans since 1991. AHS is by far the best. Communicating with them by phone speaking to a rep is difficult and frustrating to accomplish. You have to place your service call online. The vendors are helpful, professional and timely. I am not happy with the service call charges, but coverage is good.

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
We appreciate the feedback Jan. Thanks

K
Ken P
9/13/2017
We had a problem with the knob in our shower: it was ridiculously difficult to pull open and push closed. We stopped using it. The plumbers sent a reminder, and we were given advance notice they were on their way. They arrived on time. There were two young men who arrived, making a great impression by arriving in clean uniforms. They were both polite and pleasant, and we were put at ease immediately. They finished the job in minutes, took care of a loose handle on the bathroom sink, and left the bathroom clean. They were only here a few minutes. We would have them back for any of our plumbing needs.

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Thanks for the wonderful feedback Ken!

T
Tijuana Y
9/13/2017
Very good customer service was very helpful with her information

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
We appreciate the feedback Tijuana. Thanks


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  • No Age Limits on Covered Systems & Appliances
  • No Inspections or Records Required